Machine for making packing cases



July 3, 1951 R. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. A. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKI NG CASES July 3, 1951 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 July 3, 1951 R. A. MULLER 2,558,874

MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 3, 1951 R. A. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 NNN Waring?- y 1951 R. A. MULLER 8,

MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 Y 11 Shegts-Sheet 5 July 3, 1951 MULLER 2,558,874

MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 11 Sheets-v-Sheec 6 July 3, 1951 R. A. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 a ll July 3, 1951 v R. A. MULLER 2,553,374

MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 11 Sheets-SheetB 'IIIIIIIIIII'IIII.

\\\T\\Y YIIIIIIIIIIIII/ F/G. /5 /40) q fie/ 6w? d ZMa. 740444 July 3, 1951 R. A. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 July 3, 1951 R. A. MULLER MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES l1 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 IlujQTtO?" y 1951 R. A. MULLER 2,558,874

MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES ll Sheets-Sheet ll Filed Sept. 22, 1950 J i l u/v/r A (ML 5 STITCH/N6 fimosfi 1 46 j; w MOTOR FOR v RELAY FOR F R UNIT-A s/A/aLg gl gL z r/o/v $3725 0 30% 55545; /N7'ERLOC/f//VG SW/TCH 3 SOL lNO/D M/CRO SW/ TCH FORWARD FEED FEED MOTOR REVERSE STEP FEED MOTOR ZhUeTL ZOT wwaavuw Patented July 3, 1951 MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKING CASES Robert A. Muller, New London, N. H., assignor to Atlas Plywood Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 22, 1950, Serial No. 186,132

31 Claims.

, 1 This invention relates to the manufacture of packing cases and to a machine for making packing cases of the type wherein a plurality of side panels are secured together in hinged relation to form a tube which can readily be collapsed upon itself and held in this form until it is used. Whencollapsed such a tube occupies a relatively small amount of space and may be packaged, together with top and bottom sections, to comprise an efiicient unit which is quickly opened upon itself and secured to the top and bottom sections.

It is desirable in many forms of packing cases to employ a construction material, such as plywood for example, in order to impart a high degree of rigidity and dimensional stability combined with lightness. It is, of course, further essential that these features be developed within definite cost limits comparing favorably with those of other shipping containers.

lhe present invention is concerned with the conditions and requirements indicated and aims to devise a machine for rapidly and efficiently fabricating collapsible packing cases of plywood, as well as other materials. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method and means for simultaneously applying a series of wire stitches in each of several packing case sides while the sides are in a substantially rectangularly disposed position to thereby produce an exceedingly strong, durable packing case, utilizing a minimum amount of time and labor.

These and other objects and novel features will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved wire stitching machine of the invention in which packing cases may be made;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine on a slightly smaller scale than that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is another elevational View taken at the front or feed end of the machine to more clear- 1y show the movable carriage;

Fig. 3a is a detailed elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing a suspension supporting structure for one of the stitching heads indicated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the rear of the machine illustrating power driven mechanism for moving the carriage;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed plan View of the power driven mechanism shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line E-5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional view taken on Fig. 9 is a detailed plan view of a part of the carriage broken away to show a stitching target;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed vertical section taken through the carriage at a point just in front of a stapling target on the line lll|0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevational view further illustrating the outer end of the carriage assembly shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is another cross-sectional view taken on the line I l-l 4 of Fig. 9, also showing the target and guide mechanism employed in positioning box panels;

Fig. 14a is a plan cross-sectional view taken on the line l4al4a of Fig. 2;

Fig. 15 is a detailed elevational View diagrammatically showing one panel of a box secured in a stitching position by means of clamping and guide members;

Fig. 15a is a fragmentary detailed view of one of the tie rod members of the invention.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view-taken on the .line Iii-l6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 17 is another cross-sectional View taken on the line |1--I1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l8l8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l9|9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating diagrammatically one step in assembling plywood panels in accordance with the method or the invention;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic plan view of the box assembly noted in Fig. 20 and shown in position to receive the first set of stitches;

Fig. 22 is another-diagrammatic plan view showing the box in the position it assumes in the carriage after the first set of stitches have been applied;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view showing the partly assembled box after the first set of stitches are applied;

Fig. 24 is another diagrammatic view illustrating the box as it appears after the said stitching operation is completed;

Fig. 25 is an assembly view illustrating diagrammatically the step of locating a fourth panel in stitching position;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of the four panels in a fully stitched or secured position to form a tube;

Fig. 27 is a detailed fragmentary perspective view showing the tube noted in Fig. 26 in a collapsed position, such as it normally assumes for shipping purposes;

Fig. 28 is a perspective detailed view of one of 3 the corner strips employed in connecting the panels together;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a bottom section of the box;

Fig. 30 is a side elevational view of the box with the bottom section secured in place;

Fig. 31 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electrical control system for actuating the carriage and stitching heads in timed relation; and

Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic view further illustrating the electro-mechanical units shown in Fig. 31. v

The machine generally comprises two parallel channel members with two pairs of stapling or wire stitching heads mounted above the channel members, the heads of each pair being arranged in opposed relation to apply wire stitches at right angles to one another in work supported on the channels. In making a collapsible packing case in this machine in accordance with the method of the invention, a center panel of plywood, or other suitable material, and two similar side panels, are supported in a substantially rectangularly disposed position, together with corner reinforcing strips, and these parts are fed along the channels While the four stitching heads simultaneously drive wire staples through the corner strips and into the panels. 7

In addition to the two channels and respective wire stitching units, the machine includes a movable carriage for carrying out the feeding operation; an indexing motion for selectively controlling the motion of the carriage and electrical control means for operating the stitching units in timed relation to the feed.

Wire stitching apparatus Referring first to the two wire stitching .units generally indicated by the arrows A and B, and particularly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, it will be seen that these units are supported in a raised position in a suitable frame which may, for example, include two side walls 2 and 4 mounted on I-beams, or some other desirable type of base members. The side walls are rigidl secured together in spaced relation, as by two transverse members 6 and B (Fig. 8). Secured at the upper sides of the transverse members 6 and 8 are a number of guide strips, as It! and I2, arranged to form two spaced-apart guideways, as shown. It should be understood that the particular construction described is intended to be representative of any suitable guideway construction suitable for the purposes indicated below.

The two stitching units A and B are adjustably mounted on these guideways at either side of the frame, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the units may be moved toward or away from one another, as desired. In the particular arrangement disclosed, this lateral adjustment is achieved, for example, in thecase of the stitching unit B, by securing the main housing I of this unit on a base plate [8 (Fig.8).

The base plate extends across the two channels, in the position shown, to rest on the upper surfaces of members 2|) and 22. Slides i4 and i3 bolted to the under side of the base plate 58 are slidably received in the guideways to guide the unit for transverse movement. Similarly, the stitching unit A is provided with :a base plate and slide members which correspond to those iust described. These parts, as well as all others in unit A, hear the same reference numerals as similar parts in unit B with the difierence, how ever, that they are primed. I

Each of the two base plates for the units A and B; are further provided at their under sides with threaded blocks, of which block 2t, shown in Fig. 8, is intended to be illustrative. Threaded through these blocks is a double acting screw 26 threaded right and'left so that rotation of the screw in one direction will produce an approach ing movement of the two stitching units, relative- 1y to one another, and rotation of the screw in an opposite direction will produce a movement of the stitching units away from one another. The screw 25 has its opposite ends supported in bearings in the frame sides 2 and d, as noted in Fig. 1, and a hand wheel 28 is fixed at one extremity of the screw to provide for manual adjustment of the units, as will be described more fully at a later point in the specification.

The two stitching units A and B may be most convenientl considered, in each instance, as being made up in two parts or sections, one of which sections is of conventional form and presents no novel features, and the other of which is believed to include novel structure at several points. Thus in the case of the stitching unit A shown in Fig. 2, the main housing id contains a driving gear mechanism for reciprocating a pair of stapling heads, the gear mechanism being similar to that found in commonly manufactured stitching machines well known to the art.

As is customary in machines of this class, a motor 38' drives a flywheel 32 fixed on a drive shaft received transversely through the housin and operatively connected to the gear mechanism above referred to.

At the opposite side of the housing i5 is an extension 3d on which is received a drive shaft section adapted to be connected in driving relation with the stapling heads by means of single revolution clutch of conventional form. The latter is operated in the usual manner by an electromagnetic controlled member or relay located externally of the housing i5 and denoted by the letter R in Fig. 2.

It is pointed out that the extension 34' terminates in a flanged portion 36 which, in ordinary usage, is designed to be secured to a stitching head of any well known type. The apparatus described, including the extension and flanged portion 36", therefore in general comprises conventional equipment which although ordinarily combined directly with a wire stitchin head, in my present invention is combined with other novel parts, as described below.

In accordance with the invention I combine with the extension as (Fig. 2) means for increasing the capacity of the stitching unit so as to adapt it to handle work in the range of sizes found in the usual types of packing cases. I further provide means for supporting pairs of stitching heads in position to apply stitches at right angles to one another, together with means for reinforcing each two opposed stitching heads of a pair so that the stitching heads are capable of properly resisting stress and torque effects resulting from driving a pair of stitching heads through a materially increased driving leverage and especially with the stitching heads arranged to apply stitches at right angles to on another.

As illustrative of one suitable arrangement which may be employed for thus extending the capacity of the stitching unit A, I provide an additional extension 38 which is formed at one I end with a flange 4c adapted to be solidly bolt-- ed to the flange 36' of the member 34.

The opposite end of the extension 38 has secured thereto a special housing 42 (Figs. 2, 3 and 3a) in which is received gear mechanism, as described above, for actuating a pair of stitching heads 44' and 46' to which wire is supplied from reels 48' and 50'. The shape of the housing 42' is of novel character and is so selected as to support, in obliquely disposed portions, a pair of elbow sections 52, 54 and 52 and 54'.

Thus the elbow section 52 is formed in the housing 42' so as to locate the stitching head 44' in a vertical position suitable for engaging against a horizontally disposed box panel. Likewise, the elbow 54' is formed in the casing so as to locate the stitching head 46 at right angles to the stitching head 44 in a position suitable for engagement with a vertically disposed box panel occurring at right angles to the first panel.

Moreover, the stitching heads 44' and 46 are arranged to lie in relatively close proximity to one another, and each head is disposed obliquely with respect to its plane of stitching so that not only can two rows of wire stitches be applied simultaneously at right angles to one another, but the two rows can be applied closely adjacent to the edges of rectangularly disposed box panels, and the stitches in any one of the rows may be located diagonally with respect to an adjacent edge of a panel. Further advantages of this relative arrangement of stitching heads will appear more fully in connection with a description of the actual operation of making a packing case of the collapsible type described. The stitching unit B corresponds to the unit A in all respects and parts similar to those noted in unit A bear the same, but primed, numerals.

In thus providing elongated stitching units capable of dealing with varying sizes of packing cases, it will be readily apparent that additional supportin means may be found desirable in order to maintain the two stitching heads of a pair in correct stitching relation to one another and thereby ensure a high degree of accuracy, such as is necessary in securing together box corners and corner strips.

For this purpose there is provided a suspension frame including a pair of uprights 60 and 66' which may, for example, be secured to the front ends of the sides 2 and 4, respectively. Intermediate portions of the uprights are offset, as shown in Fig. 3, to avoid interference with the reels 50 and 50. The uprights have mounted thereon a suspension beam BI and the latter member, in one preferred form, comprises a channel-like body along which are disposed transversely movable slides 62 and 62'.

Vertically disposed in the slides are adjusting screws 64 and 64', the lower ends of which are threaded into brackets 66 and. 66, occurring in slightly spaced relation to the under side of the suspension member 6|, as shown in Figs. 3 and 3a. Depending portions of the brackets 66 and 66' are solidly bolted through upper sections of the housings 42 and 42, respectively, thus furnishing connection through which the housings 42 and 42 are solidly supported from the suspension member 6|, as may be more clearly seen in Fig. 3a.

The brackets 66 and 66' are formed with shoulders 6'! and 61' which, as noted in Fig. 2, extend horizontally outward for a short distance. Openings are located through these shouldered portions 61 and 61' so as to loosely receive therethrough a threaded tie rod member 69. Check nuts 65 and 65' are adapted to be threaded over opposite ends of the tie rod 69 against the outer edges of'the bracket 66 and 61 for the purpose of holding the two housings in fixed relation to one another while, at the'same time, allowing the weight of the housings to be partly taken up in the suspension frame in any position of lateral adjustment therealong.

In combination with the extensions 38 and 38' and the suspension supporting structure described above, there is also provided reinforcing arms 10 and 10 which are arranged in cooperating relationship with the respective housings 42 and 42' so as to brace these latter bodies and the connecting extensions 36 and 38' against torque forces developing from the operation of the twostitching heads or a pair operating at right angles to one another.

The reinforcing arms 76 and T0 are solidl anchored to sides of the main housings I5 and I5 and extend horizontally above the extensions 34, 38, 34 and 38', respectively, as shown in Figs, 1 and 2, with their outer ends being solidly bolted to the housings 52 and 42. These reinforcing members, it is found, are capable of providing a sufiicient degree of rigidity to the extended stitching heads to enable the heads to operate properly in opposed relation ove extended points and therefore constitute a highly desirable feature of the invention.

It is customary in wire stapling or stitching machines of the type employed in this invention to provide target means against which the stitching heads work and upon which the work piece may be temporarily located to receive a wire stitch or staple, which, in the case of the present invention, is driven through the work and clinched on the other side.

In the present invention I provide a novel arrangement of target members in suitabl cooperating relation to the stitching heads to provide for stitching simultaneously two rows of stitches to the corners of a packing case assembly, as has been suggested in Figs. 3 and 6.

Numerals l3 and i5 denote, respectively, the vertical and horizontal targets for unit A, while similar unprimed numbers refer to the vertical and horizontal targets for unit B, Fig. 3. These target members are solidly mounted on special elongated target arms 76 and 16 which extend horizontally of the machine, as may be more clearly seen in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. As shown in Fig. 8, the target arms have enlarged ends which are fastened tightly by bolts 76a against opposite inner surfaces of respective housings l5 and I5.

Intermediate portions of the target arms are located in spaced relation to adjacent portions of the respective housings 242,-to form passageways between these members, and to further enlarge these passageways, the sides of the housings l5 and !5 may be cut away. The passageways provide space for movement of the panel supporting carriage about to be described.

The targets are preferably constructed with tapering sides to form outer ends of relatively smaller cross-section and these outer ends extend horizontally into positions slightl below the stitching heads 44 and 44'. Also, the upper inner sides of the target arms are formed with flat slide surfaces l6c, as noted at the right-hand side of Fig. 9.

Each of the outer ends of the target arms are recessed to receive horizontally located adaptor blocks '18 and 18' (Fig. 6), which function to properly locate respective targets 15 and'l5', in a slightly raised position with respect to adjacent surfaces of the arms and in register with the stitching heads 46 and 44' Work supporting carriage In combination with the dual target arm and stitching head assembly described, I further provide a novel work supporting table or carriage which is movably supported on the target arms in a position to cooperate with the target elements and the stitching heads so as to feed work pieces, such as box Sides or panels, in to and out or proper stitching relationship.

Attention is directed to Figs. 3, 6, '7 and 8, in which the work supporting carriage has been shown in varying positions of adjustment. As shown in Fig. 6, the carriage is moved over a stationary supporting frame made up of side plates 80 and 88', each of which are solidly bolted, or otherwise secured, to adjacent sides of the target arms I5 and it, more clearly shown in Fig. 7, and each of which plates extend horizontally outward for an appreciable distance sufficient to slightly exceed the length of box panels which may be desired to be employed in making a packing case as shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 7.

Secured to the lower portions of the side plate 80 and 80' by fastenings 8i and M are bottom plates 82 and 82' and fixed at the upper sides of the plates 82 and 82, in spaced-apart relation, are outer guide strips I and toil and intermediate guide strips 8 5 and 84. These respective guide strips form two sets of channels. Thus the guide strips 8G and t4 combine with respective side portions 80 and 80 to form channels in which are guided sprocket chains 86 and 8%, as noted in Figs. 6 and 7.

The sprocket chains are engaged with sprocket wheels 88 and 38 supported on stub shafts 90 and 9E! transversely mounted through the outer ends of the side plates 8t and 58. At their opposite extremities the chains 35 and 86' are in driving engagement with another set of sprocket wheels 82 and 92 fast on a sprocket driving shaft 9d, as shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8. The latter shaft is mounted for rotation in bearings, such as 96 and 98 (Figs. 1 and 4), in turn received in upright frame pieces IfiI bolted to the transverse base members 6, as suggested at the lower lefthand side of Fig. 8.

The sprocket chains 86 and 86' are interrupted at their upper sides and have their opposite ends attached to turn buckles I02 and IE2 which are secured by links I04 and I54 pivotally pinned to bars I05 and H. Solidly secured at the upper sides of the bars I85 and I05 are two rectangularly shaped box supporting frames made up of tops H38 and I98; inner sides III] and H0; lower sides H2 and H2"; and outer sides H4 and H4; of which those sides denoted by primed numerals are most clearly shown in Fig. 6. The several parts described thus form a work supporting carriage which is secured to the sprocket chains 86 and 86.

As shown in Fig. 6, it will be observed that the inner sides I I9 and I If! are formed with flanged portions HI and Iii adapted to be welded, or otherwise secured, to an adjacent edge of the tops I08 and I98. Similarly, the lower sides H2 and I I2 include flanges I I3 and I I3 which are adapted to be welded, or otherwise secured, to the lower marginal edges of the opposite sides H4 and H4. Fig. 11 also discloses angle members H6 and H6 which serve to tie together the free edges of the members, as shown at H4 and I08, and rigidly attach them together.

In accordance with the invention, the carriage is supported for horizontal reciprocating move ment relatively to the respective targets and, as illustrative of one suitable means for carrying out such horizontal reciprocation, I have provided rollers, as shown at I83 and I03, Fig. 6, rotatably mounted on stub shafts I85 and I65 transversely disposed through the sides III) and H0,- as suggested in Figs. 6 and 11. These rollers are positioned so as to run into tracks or channels comprised by the guide strips a t and Ifiil, in the case of unit A, and 3 5' and let, in the case of unit 13.

A part of the weight of the box-forming frames is thus transferred through the rollers on to the stationary sections of the carriage comprised by plates 85 and 32 and 8t and 82'. Ihe remainder of the weight of the carriage is taken up by allowing intermediate sections of the top plates I08 and N38 to bear on the slide surfaces, as shown at 760 (Fig. 9) of the target arms so that the tops are at all points in sliding engagement with their respective target arms, as the frame is moved in to and out of successive feeding positions.

In locating panels or side members on the carriage, a series of guides and clamps are employed which are especially designed to provide for making a collapsible type packing case. In order to provide for adjacent side panels of a box being properly secured together with corner strips so that the corner strips may-act as hinge members to be collapsed, it is found to be desirable to locate edges of adjacent panels in a uniformlyspaced-apart relation, as well as causing them to occur at right angles to one another. It is also essential to firmly maintain the panels in uniformly spaced relationship to one another throughout the stitching operation.

With these aims in view, I have provided at the forward edges of the carriage tops I08 and Idt' transverse guide plates IEc and I29 (Fig. 9), having edges against which may be abutted top panel I22, as diagrammatically suggested in said Fig;: 9. Secured to the guide plates I2Eii2il' are told ing strips I2 %i2d having inwardly projecting; edges which, as shown in Fig. 9, are adapted to overlie and contain underlying forward edges of the top panel I22.

Opposite edges of the panel I22 are received against rear guide strips EEG-I255 and are fure; ther clamped in place by means of pivoted clamp ing members I28 and I28, better shown at theright-hand side of Fig. 1, and a similar side of Fig. 2. It will be seen that these two abutments provide for longitudinal location of a top panel and the guides referred to may be adjusted to-' ward and away from one another on the carriage tops Wit-I68 to accommodate varying "lengths of panels which it may be desired to employ. Itis also necessary to provide means for a correct. lateral adjustment of the top panel, and this is provided for in accordance with the invention by. securing in abutting relation to the plate mem-' here In and I26 the corner edge guides I30 and I30 (Figs. 9 and 10). These corner edge guides are provided in each case with a vertical surface which is located in proper relationship to an edge of the target l5, as shown for example" in Fig. 9, so as to correctly place the top panel in register with the target and the stitching head.

To secure in place the two side panels I32 and I34, I have further provided the clamping apparatus shown in Figs. 2, 14a and 15, in which figures, it will be observed, are shown upper guide" members I36 which are vertically adjustable-in;

straps I38 and I38 secured at either side of the carriage and extending downwardly from the lower sides of the carriage, in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

The guides include spaced-apart edges, as shown at I39 and I39 between which may be received the forward upper edges of respective side panels, in the manner suggested in Fig. 14a. The vertical straps I38 and I38 are preferably connected together by means of an upper tie bar I360. and a lower transverse tie bar I40 which is formed with a centrally disposed slot I42 through which is passed lower guides I 44 and I44 in a laterally adjustable manner. These lower guides include shelves I45 and I46 and two sets of side pieces I48, I50, I48, I58, as is better shown in Fig. 12. The forward lower edges of the side panels are arranged to engage against adjacent edges of the guides Hi l-444 on straps I38-I38, while the bottom edges of these side panels are received on the members HIE-I46 between the sides I48, I50, I48, I56, as shown in Fig. 12.

In this relative position it will be seen that upper edges of the sidepanels are forced into abutting relation with a projecting under edge of the corner guides I30, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The rear edges of the side panels are held in place by the two additional clamping means including vertical guide strips 552-452, at the upper ends of which are pivoted clamps I54I 54 and at the lower ends of which are resiliently engaging blades I56--I56. Springs I58-I53 normally seek to force the blades against the rear edges of the panels, causing the blades to become forced inwardly a short distance to thus provide a desirable holding effect. The knife edges may be withdrawn from engagement with the side panel rear edges by means of handles ISO-I60 pivotally attached to the springs l58-I58, as suggested at the lower right-hand side of Fig. 2.

With the top and two side panels of a box secured on the carriage by the guide and clamps described above, there is next located at the two upper corners of the assembly, corner strips I62I62, as seen in Figs. 6, '7, 9 and 14. These strips may, for example, consist of a preformed or creased strip of heavy kraft paper, or other suitable material. It will be apparent that these strips must be held in correct alignment with the adjacent panel edges which they overlap during the stitching operation and, to provide for such correct alignment, I have devised a guide apparatus including stationary former elements I64I64, which are located a short distance in front of the bracket members, as indicated in Fig. 9. These formers consist of right-angularly shaped elements secured independently, of the carriage on the stitching head housings, as has been shown particularly in the drawings in Fig. 3. The formers include along their opposite inner edges 2. pair of guide strips I68I65 and IB8-I68, as may be more clearly seen from an inspection of Figs. 9 and 14, and against which strips edges of a corner strip may bear. As one means of mounting the formers IM-I 64' I have provided bars I64a and I64a, the former of which is shown in Fig. 9. Each of these bars I640. and I64a is fixed at one end to the top of a former surface, as shown. At the other end each former is secured to a bracket, as at I24a, which extends above the plate I24 and is, in turn, rigidly fastened to a strap I241) bolted to the;

housing of an adjacent stitching head surface."

The right-angular shape of these formers en-- sures the corner strips being secured in a fixed V 1o angular position and, moreover, the edges of the corner strips are fitted against inner edges of the guide strips I66, I68, and IE6 and I68, as shown in Fig. 14. With this arrangement the corner strips cannot move out of register with either the stitching heads or the box panels over which these strips lie, and yet they may move through the formers freely with the carriage and panels during the feeding operation.

In order to provide for making boxes in a considerable range of sizes, it is desirable to provide means for adjusting the panel clamping and guide mechanism. Thus, it frequently is the case that the length of the panels may vary, or two of the panels on opposite sides of the box may be desired to be positioned in offset relation with respect to the panels on the other two sides of the box, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24, as well as other figures above referred to, in which the manner of locating box panels has been illustrated.

In this connection there is provided a depth selector bar I5I, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 7 and which will allow the stitching mechanism to operate in proper timed relation for varying sizes of boxes. This bar is supported on a stationary portion of the carriage frame in a horizontally extending position and carries an adjustably secured limit switch I55 at the forward end of the bar and a second switch I53 at the opposite end of said bar.

The position of each of these switches may be chosen with reference to the length of the panels to be usedso that starting and stopping of the wire stitching operation may be controlled in accordance with any desired panel lengths. Aiding in this operation are two stop members I51 and I59 fixed on one of the movable carriage sides in position to contact and actuate respective limit switches I53I55'.

The depth selector bar may be provided with a scale on the upper side thereof so that a rapid return to any previous known setting may be quickly made, when desired. The scale surface is generally indicated by the arrow IBI, Fig. 1, and a pointer I63 is fixed to the front side of the limit switch I55 in position to register with the graduations of the scale.

Variable indexing motion Movement of the carriage with the panels and corner strips assembled thereon in the manner above described is carried out by means of a novel indexing motion and also in accordance with a novel sequence of forming operations. This sequence includes (1) Securing. together the top panel, side panels, and corner strips, at the forward edges of these elements, by a single set of wire stitches;

(2) Feeding the panel assembly forwardly all the way into the machine until the opposite ends of the panels reach a position of register with the stitching heads and then stitching together these ends of the panels and corner strips;

(3) Returning the panel assembly to its starting position by reversely step feeding the assembly and intermittently applying a series of uniformly spaced-apart wire stitches along intermediate portions of the box forming members; and

(4) Then repeating all of the above operations to secure a fourth panel in suitably secured relationship to the three secured panels.

Apparatus for performing this sequence of operations is preferably located at the end of the machine oppositeto the end on'which the car tention is directed to Figs. 1, 2,4 and 5, in which it will be observed that the driving shaft 94 for the sprockets 86 and 86, controlling then ovement of the carriage, has centrally fixed thereon a large sprocket gear I1Ill carrying a sprocket chain I12 which extends rearwardly and downwardly into drivingrelation with a sprocket I14 fast on a main driving shaft I16, as shown in Fig. 5.

Shaft I16 is rotatably mounted in bearings I80 and I82 so that it is free to revolve in either direction about its axis and may thus transmit through the chain I12 rotative movement in eitherdirection to the carriage driving shaft 94. Both the forward feeding operation and the reversing step feeding operation are carried out through this main driving shaft I16. V

Considering first the forward feeding o era tion, a motor I84 drives a shaft I81 through a gear I88 and a chain I86. Shaft I81 carries a clutch I89 of some conventional form, such as a friction cone type clutch, and this clutch is adapted to be moved into and out of drivingengagement with one endof the main driving shaft I16, as shown in Fig. 5, making use of an electromagnetically controlled clutch lever I90. One end of the lever I98 is secured to a reciprocating element I9! of the solenoid I92. When the solenoid is energized, the motor is connected in driving relation to the shaft I16 and a forward feeding movement of the carriage is carried out. During this operation the opposite end of the shaft I16 is free of all driving connection with other parts of the mechanism.

A reversing step feed operation is carried out by the arrangement shown at the right-hand side of the driving shaft I16, as viewed in Fig. '5. As noted therein a second clutch I96 similar to clutch 189, is adapted to be moved in to and out of driving engagement with the shaft I16 by means of another solenoid member I98 acting through a lever 289.

The clutch I96 is actuated by a shaft 202 supported on a bearing 284 and has fixed thereon a torque arrestor device (Figs. 18 and l9 which includes a disk 286 to which is, tightly fastened a cushioning element 288 by bolts 2 I 0. Thecushioning element has bolted to it an arm 2 I2 which is fast on another shaft 2 I4. The torque arrestor device is designed to cushion the shock or torque effects which develop from stopping and starting the shaft 2I4 intermittently and while the latter member is subjected to relatively heavy stresses which fluctuate rapidly in intensity, the operation of the torque alrres'tor 'will be more fully understood in connection with the description of the indexing motion.

The shaft 2I4 extends through the side of a special gearbox 2 I6 and has fixed thereon a small gear 218 (Fig. 16) which meshes with a'relatively larger gear 226 on a shaft 222 mounted above shaft 214 in gear box 2I6. The larger gear 220 has a number of its teeth removed along a part of its peripheral portion to form a mutilated timing gear adapted to arrest rotation of shaft 2I4 and gear 2! once during each revolution of the shaft 222 for a predetermined time interval which is chosen to provide a suitable period in which the stitching heads may applya single set of wire stitches. Since the shaft 2 I4 is directly connected to the cushioning element 288 of the torque arrestor device, and since gear 2I8 is fast on shaft 2I4, there is afforded a means of stopping, and

starting without clashing of the gears and with! out excessive stresses developing, such as would fracturethe gear teeth.

The opposite end of shaft 222 extends out of the gear box 2 I6 and has solidly mounted thereon a coupling member 224 bolted to a second coupling 226 carrying another shaft element 228. The last mentioned shaft is connected in driving relation with a standard type of reduction gear mechanism, indicated by numeral 238, in turn connected through a worm (not shown) to a motor 232. I Integral with the housing of the reduction gear mechanism 239 is an extension plate 234 along the inner side of which is secured a microswitch 236 arranged to lie in the path of movement of a pawl 238 fixed to the rotating coupling 224 (Figs. 5 and 17). The pawl 238 is positioned on its coupling in a manner selected with relation to the mutilated section of the timing gear 228 so that the microswitch 285 may be depressed or closed while the gear 228 is out of driving engagement with the small gear 258 and, consequently, while. shaft 2 I4 is at rest.

As noted in Fig. 5, the solenoid lever 288 has connected to its free end a reciprocating bar 240, and at one side of the bar is a cam element 242, the surface of which is arranged to move against and actuate an electrical interlocking switch 244 which is connected in series with the microswitch 236. The purpose of switch 244 is to lock out operation of the solenoid which controls movement of the forward feed members when the necessary step feed is in operation, and vice versa. The electrical circuit running through the microswitch 238 and the interlocking switch 244 energizes the relay R which operates the solenoids, in turn controlling the single revolution clutches of the stitchingheads of units A and B. When the microswitch 238 is depressed by the pawl 238, the energized relays R cause each of the stitching heads of units A and B to make a single stitch during the dwell in each rearward step of the work supporting carriage.

The relationship of switches 236 and 244 to one another, as well as the various other electrical connections and control members, are shown in the schematic wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. 3i, and included in the electrical system are a number of switch buttons, included amongfwhich are a start switch 258 and a stop switch 252, both of which are located in a switch box 254 supported on a bracket 25% bolted to the front of the machine (Fig. 2); also four other switches which, as noted in Fig. 31, are labelled, respectively, as a Forward Switch 258; a Reverse Switch 260; a Stitching Button 262; and a Stop Switch 264. In addition to these switches the stitching head motors 38 and 38 are independently controlled by separate toggle switches L and L on the stitching head housing.

In operating the machine with the aid of these switches the first step is to push the start button 250, which starts the reversing step feed motor 232 and the forward feed motor I84 both of which motors are normally held out of driving relationship with the feed mechanism. Closing the start button 250 also completes two circuits, which as noted in the wiring diagram, engagesthe off solenoids of both switch controls so that the driving shaft I16 and feed sprocket are stationary. The stationary stitching head motors. 38 and 30' are next started by their individual toggle switches L and L and the electrical systemis ready for simultaneous stitching and feeding operation.

Plywood panels P, P" and P comprising a front and two sides of a packing case, are then placed on the movable carriage of the machine and are secured by the guides and clamps above described so that the several panels occur in a substantially rectangularly positioned manner with edges of adjacent panels lying in spacedapart relation, as has been suggested in Fig. 20.

Two corrugated corner strips or hinge members I62, I62 are next inserted in a right-angularly disposed manner, one under each set of stitching heads and in overlapping relation to adjacent edges of underlying panels. This step has been indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 23.

The limit switches are correctly adjusted on the depth selector bar so that a proper location of forward corner stitches may be arrived at with the panels in a desired position of register with the stitching heads. The stitch button 262 is then actuated, which energizes the solenoids for the single revolution clutches of each of the four stitching heads and thus causes the heads to drive four wire stitches at right angles through the corrugated corner strips and underlying plywood at two opposite corners of the box. It will be noted that in this position the forward ends of the corner strips which were held down by the formers have been stitched, while the opposite ends extending rearwardly from the formers are still in an unsecured free position overlying the box sides.

The forward switch button on the machine is then pressed, causing the carriage to move into the machine, carrying the plywood panels and the attached corner strips with it and, at the same time, forcing the free unsecured ends of the corrugated corner strips, by means of the former mechanism described, into the correct right-angularly disposed overlapping position on the panels for stitching. Fig. 21 shows the panel assembly in the advanced position referred to.

Forward motion of the carriage continues until the forward stop I59 on the carriage side contacts the normally closed limit switch I55 on the depth selector bar, and this opens a circuit through the forward feed solenoid I92, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 31. Simultaneously a circuit is closed for energizing the reverse feed solenoid I98.

The carriage and panel assembly is stopped at exactly the correct position to take the extreme or last set of staples, as noted in Fig. 21. At this point the stitch button is again closed to allow a single stitch to be applied from each of the four stitching heads to the rear corners of the box. As soon as the second set of corners are secured, the reverse feed button is actuated, closing a circuit which starts intermittent movement of the carriage rearwardly by energizing the rearward feed solenoid I98 driven thereby through the mutilated gear 220 and the clutch.

In closing the rearward feed solenoid I98 circuit, a cam attached at the end of the clutch lever which is controlled by this solenoid slides a pawl past the interlocking switch 244, which is normally open. By closing this contact the interlocking switch is in series with the timing microswitch 236, the contactor of which is depressed by pawl 238.

The circuit running through the two stitches 244 and 236 energizes the relays R which operate the solenoids for the stitching heads, thus causing the stitching heads to make a single stitch during the dwell in each forward intermittent movement or step of the carriage. This operation secures adjacent corner strip portions to underlying respective corner portions of the plywood panels at some desired spacing such as, for example, at approximately 2% center spacings. Fig. 22 indicates the position of the panel assembly at the end of the reversing step feed motion and Fig. 24 shows the wire stitches in place.

The reversing step feed motion is continued until stop I51 at the rear of the carriage side contacts a normally closed limit switch I53, which opens the circuit, releasing the energy in solenoid I98 and throwing clutch I96 out of driving engagement with the shaft I16. Also, the circuit through the relays for the stitching heads is opened. Thus, the two solenoids controlling the stitching are not energized, even though pawl 238 continues to depress the microswitch 236.

In Fig. 31 R and R are relays in the line with microswitch 236 and interlocking switch 244. RIO is a relay in the circuit between the stop button 252 and motor 232. RH is a switch in the line between motor 232 and start button 250. RI2 is a switch in the line between start button 250 and motor I84. RI 3 is a switch controlled by microswitch 236. RI 4 and RI5 are switches in the line with solenoids I92 and I98 and are controlled by switches I53 and I55. RI 6 and RI! are switches in the line with solenoids I92 and I98, and RIS is a switch in the line with reverse stitch button 260.

To complete the box the clamp mechanism is disengaged from the three sides and the panel assembly is then rotated through when the two vertically occurring sides are again clamped to the carriage and a fourth panel P" is secured above these sides, as suggested in Fig. 25. A second set of corner strips is then placed over the panels and the previously described cycle is repeated. A collapsible box section, consisting of a tubular body having its sides secured together in hinged relation, as shown in Fig. 26, is then completed and the machine is ready for the next box-making operation without further change.

A desirable feature of the apparatus and method of the invention for moving the three-panel assembly into a reversed position to take the fourth panel, is the rotation of the partly forced tubular unit about its longitudinal axis and of a supporting cradle C having a concaved slide surface C, Fig. 25. The cradle C is located in spaced relation to the under side of the carriage in substantially registered position with the panels, so that as the assembly is rotated, successive portions of the panel come into contact with the concaved surface C to be slidably supported thereby and held until raised into engagement with the guide and clamp mechanism. This operation greatly facilitates handling of the panel sections and materially increases the speed at which the machine may be operated.

In locating the three panel assembly in proper position on the carriage to receive a fourth panel, it will be observed that the two sides extend beyond the intermediate side. Such a relationship is shown in Figs. 20 and 24 wherein sides P and P' project beyond side P". There is thus provided projecting edges which can engage and rest upon the brackets I46 and I46 when the three panel stitched assembly has been rotated about a horizontal axis into position to receive a fourth panel. The intermediate panel P in the rotated position will occur just in front of the brackets I46 and I46 and-will lie between the supported sides. Since there is no obstruction occurring below the channel members, and since the partly stitched assembly is thus conveniently held, the whole unit may be carried forwardly during the final stitching operation.

In Fig. 27 I have shown the panels of the unit illustrated in Fig. 26 collapsed upcn themselves to provide a flat compact unit which occupies a relatively small amount of space for shipping, storing, and the like. When in use the collapsed tube is opened to assume the form shown in Fig. 26 and two end sections are fastened to opposite ends of the tubular structure. In Fig. 29 one suitable type of end section is shown including frame pieces F and F secured by cleats, as T. In securing the end sections the tubular member may be desired to be constructed with two of its sides in offset relation to the two remaining sides, as has been shown in Fig. 29, and as was mentioned at an earlier portion oi the specification in assembling the panels. Such a panel arrangement has projecting edges against which the cleats T may be abutted and secured, as suggested at th lower broken-away section of 30.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that I have provided a novel method and apparatus for mechanically handling and securing panels to form collapsible packing case bodies by means-of which material SEtVillg in time and labor may be realized and much greater uniformity in the finished product obtained. It is also intended that the invention may be practiced in making use of various types of products, such as paper, plastic, and the like, in addition to plywood and the shape and form of the fabricated unit may vary in many respects.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. An improved wire stitching machin for securing together a plurality of panels and connecting corner strips to provide a collapsible packing case, said machine comprising 3, wire stitching apparatus including stitching heads a plura lity 'of fiat-sided target members mounted at right angles to one another in spaced relation to the wire stitching apparatus, a work supporting carriage for holding the panels and strips between the wire stitching heads and respective target means, said carriage being formed with a top and opposed vertical sides for positioning panels at right angles to one another, the exposed surfaces of the said carriage sides lying in intersecting planes which pass through corresponding flat sides of respective target surfaces, guide members constructed and arranged to locate the corner strips in overlapping relation with respect to adjacent edges of respective panels, power-driven means for periodically moving the panels and corner strips into successive stitching positions, and control means for actuating the stitching heads in any one of the stitching positions.

2. An improved wire stitching machine for securing together a plurality of panels and connecting corner strips to provide a collapsible packing case, said machine ccmprising a frame, Wire stitching units mounted in spaced-apart relation on the frame, a. plurality of fiat-sidedtarget members disposed at right angles to one another and mounted on target arms integral with the wire stitching units, a pair of channel members mounted at opposite inner sides of the stitching units and extending outwardly beyond the stitching units in parallel spaced-apart relation, means ineluding a Work supporting carriage for holding the panels between the wir stitching units and their respective target members, said carriage being movably disposed on the'chan-nel members and being formed with a top' and opposed vertical sides for positioning the panels at right angles to one another said carriage side's lying in planes which pass through corresponding fiat sides of respective target members, guide members constructed and arranged to locat the corner strips in overlapping relation with respect to adjacent edges of respective panels, power-driven means for moving the panels and corner strips into successive stitching positions, and electrical control means for actuating the stitching apparatus when the panels are at rest in any one of the stitching positions.

3. An improved wire stitching machine for securing together a plurality of panels and connecting corner strips to provide a collapsible packing case, said machine comprising a wire stitching apparatus including stitching heads and flatsided target members arranged at right angles to one another and located in spaced relation to the wire stitching apparatus, a work supporting carriage for holding the panels and strips between the wire stitching heads and respective target means, said carriage being formed with a top and opposed vertical sides for positioning panels at right angles to one another and in register with the target members, "guide members constructed and arranged to locate the corner strips, in overlapping relation with respect t adjacent edges of respective panels, power-driven means for periodically moving the panels and corner strips into successive stitching positions, and control means for actuating the stitching heads in any one of the stitching positions.

4. A machine according to claim 3, in which the power driven means includes 9, variable indexing motion consisting of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feed mechanism, said forward feeding mechanism including a main drivin shaft, a clutch, an electrical motor for driving the shaft in one direction through said clutch, a solenoid member for moving the clutch into and out of driving relation with the main shaft, said reverse step feed mechanism including a second electrical motor, solenoid controlled clutch means for turning the main-driving shaft in an opposite direction, and interlocking electrical switch means for locking out the forward feed drive when the reverse step feed drive is in operation.

'5. A machine according to preceding claim '3, in which the power driven means includes a variable indexing motion consisting of a forward feeding-mechanism and-a reverse step feedmechanism, said reverse step feed mechanism including mutilated gear means operating to' arrest the rearward movement of the table at periodic intervals.

6. A machine according to claim 3, in which the power driven means includes a variable indexing motion consisting of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feed mechanism, said step "feed mechanism including a main driving shaft, a timing shaft connected thereto, mutilated gear meansfixed' on the timing shaft, a timer element positioned on the same shaft with the mutilated gear, said timer element being located in such relative position with respect to the mutilated gear as to actuate the said'control means for the stitching heads when the carriage is at rest.

IA machine according to claim 3, in which the .powerdrivan means includes a variable in:-

dexing motion consisting. of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feed mechanism, said reverse step feed mechanismincluding a main driving shaft, a clutch, a motor for driving said shaft in one direction through the clutch, a solenoid member for moving the clutch in to and out of driving relationship with the shaft, a timing shaft located between the clutch and the motor, a mutilated gear mounted on the timing shaft, a timer element fixed on the shaft in predetermined relation to the mutilated gear, an electrical switch supported in the path of move ment of the timing element, said switch being adapted to complete an electrical circuit through the control means for the stitching heads during the period when the mutilated gear is out of driving relation with the main shaft.

8. A machine according to claim 3, in which the power driven meansincludesa variable indexing motion consistin" of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feed mechanism, said reverse step feed mechanism including a main driving shaft, a clutch, a motor for driving the shaft in one direction through said clutch,

solenoid means for moving the clutch in to and out of driving relation with the main shaft, and a shock absorber device connected between the clutch and the driving motor.

9. A machine according to'claim 3, in which the power driven means includes a variable indexing motion consisting of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feed mechanism, said reverse step feed mechanism including a main driving shaft, a clutch, a motor for driving the shaft in one direction through said clutch, solenoid means for moving the clutch in to and out of driving relationship with the main shaft, an intermediate shaft operatively connected to the clutch, a gear fixed on the intermediate shaft, a timing shaft, and a second mutilated gear mounted thereon to mesh with the said first gear, a timing element mounted for rotation with the timing shaft, an electrical switch arranged in the path of the timing element, and a shock absorber element operatively connected between the clutch and the mutilated gear drive for the purpose of absorbing stresses occurring during the starting and stopping of the main shaft in response to the mutilated gear drive.

10. A machine of the class described, comprising a work table, mechanism for operating on a work piece supported on the table, a main driving shaft operatively connected to the table, a forward driving mechanism for rotating the shaft in one direction, a reverse step feed mechanism for intermittently rotating the shaft in an opposite direction, a motor for independently driving the step feed mechanism, a timing shaft driven by the motor, a mutilated gear fast on said timing shaft, an intermittently driven shaft carrying a pinion gear in mesh with the mutilated gear, said intermittently rotating shaft being connected to a shock absorber element, a clutch arranged to move in to and out of driving relation with the said main driving shaft and being connected to the shock absorber element, a timer element fixed on the timing shaft, a switch arranged in the path of movement of the timing element, said timing element being arranged relative to the mutilated gear, so as to actuate the switch when the mutilated gear is out of driving relation with its pinion gear.

11. In combination, a work supporting carriage, apparatus for operating on a work piece received in said carriage, power driven means for causing relative movement between the carriage and said apparatus, said power driven means including a variable indexing motion consisting of a forward feeding mechanism and a reverse step feeding mechanism, interlocking electrical switch means for locking out the forward feed drive when the reverse step feed drive is in operation, said forward feeding mechanism including a main driving shaft, a clutch,an electrical motor for driving the shaft in one direction through the clutch, a solenoid member for moving the clutch into and out of driving relation with the main shaft, and said reverse step feed mechanism including a second electrical motor and a second solenoid controlled clutch for revolving the main driving shaft in an opposite direction.

12. A machine according to claim 1, in which the work supporting carriage includes a plurality of adjustable bars extending along the top and sides of the carriage to firmly secure thereagainst three packing case panelswith their edges in spaced-apart relationship.

13. A machine as defined in claim 1, in which the carriage further includes vertical edge grippers resiliently mounted in the carriage sides to engage against the rearmost vertical edges of the panels which bear against the table sides.

14. A device as described in claim 2, in which said panel supporting members are adjustable in directions transversely toward and away from one another to vary the width of the said packin case.

15. A machine as defined in claim 2, including a suspension frame, and means transversely adjustable in the frame for supporting the front ends of the stitching unit.

1". A machine as defined in claim 1, having an electrical control for the power driven means, said electrical control including stop members fixed at one side of the carriage, and limit switch means arranged in the path of movement of the stop means for operating the electrical control.

17. A structure as defined in claim 16, including means for adjustably locating the position of the limit switch means in accordance with the length of the packing case to be made.

18. In a wire stitching machine, a work supporting table presenting a plurality of sides which extend at right angles to one another to support panels in spaced relation, a pair of stitching units mounted above the table, each of the units being formed with a pair of opposed stitching heads which cooperate with the right-angularly extending sides of the table to simultaneously join together adjacent edges of the panels.

19. A machine as described in claim 18, in which the stitching heads are supported on elongated horizontally extending housing members, a suspension member extending immediately above the stitching heads, and means for adjustably securing the heads in the suspension member.

20. In a wire stitching machine, a base, a movable work supporting table located on the base and presenting a plurality of sides extending at right angles to one another, a pair of stitching units mounted above and at either side of the table, each of the units including a main housing formed with an elongated extension, a pair of stitching heads mounted in the outer ends of the extensions and cooperating with the rightangularly extending sides of the work supporting table to simultaneously apply stitches in the work pieces attached to the table.

21. In a wire stitching machine, a base, a mov- 

